The VA burial allowance is a partial reimbursement of an eligible veteran’s burial and funeral costs. To be eligible, the veteran must have been discharged under conditions other than dishonorable and must have been receiving VA compensation or pension or receiving military retired pay at the time of death. The amount of payment depends upon whether the veteran’s cause of death is service-connected or nonservice- connected.

If the cause of the veteran’s death is due to a service-connected disability or disease, the maximum entitlement is $2000. There is no time limit for applying for the service-connected burial allowance.

For nonservice-connected death, the VA may pay up to $948 burial allowance and an additional $948 plot allowance. Application for the nonservice- connected death benefits must be submitted within two years following the burial or cremation of the veteran’s body.

To be eligible for payment of non-service connected burial benefits, one of the following requirements must be met. The veteran must have:

• been in receipt of VA disability compensation or pension at the time of death or was in receipt of military retirement pay in lieu of VA compensation.

• had a claim pending for disability compensation or pension benefits and was later determined to be eligible for the benefit from a date prior to the date of his or her death.

• been indigent. An indigent veteran must have been a veteran of a war or was discharged from active duty for a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty.

The Department of Veterans Affairs also furnishes upon request, a government headstone or marker for the grave of any deceased eligible veteran in any cemetery around the world. Eligible veterans include:

• any deceased veteran discharged under conditions other than dishonorable

• members of the National Guard or Reserves who die while on training

• Members of the National Guard or Reserves who are eligible for retirement

• Members of the National Guard or Reserves who have been activated and who served for the period for which called to active duty.

The state of South Dakota will pay a $200 headstone setting reimbursement towards the cost of setting a government headstone or marker at the grave of a veteran. The veteran must have been a citizen of the US and a resident of the State of South Dakota for one year immediately prior to entering into military service or one year immediately prior to death. This fee is not available if the headstone is set in a VA National Cemetery. The state will pay $100 for the professional etching of the veterans military information on the back of a privately purchased headstone.

The application forms must be received in the Pierre office no later than one year from the date the headstone was set. The application needs to have an accompanying photo of the headstone or marker and beapproved by a County Veterans Service Officer.

If you have any questions about this topic or any other concerning your veteran’s benefits, contact your local Veterans Service Officer, Jerry Seiner. The Charles Mix County Veterans Service Office is located in the Charles Mix County Courthouse in Lake Andes and is open from 8:00 to 4:30 on Monday and Tuesday and 8:00 to 12:00 on Wednesday. Stop in or give us a call at 605-487-7691 or 605-481-1338